Synopsis

Important: apache-cxf security update

Type/Severity

Security Advisory: Important

Topic

An update for the Apache CXF component of JBoss Portal Platform 6.0.0 which
fixes two security issues is now available from the Red Hat Customer
Portal.

The Red Hat Security Response Team has rated this update as having
important security impact. Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) base
scores, which give detailed severity ratings, are available for each
vulnerability from the CVE links in the References section.

Description

Apache CXF is an open source services framework.

It was found that the Apache CXF UsernameTokenPolicyValidator and
UsernameTokenInterceptor allowed a UsernameToken element with no password
child element to bypass authentication. A remote attacker could use this
flaw to circumvent access controls applied to web services by omitting the
password in a UsernameToken. This flaw was exploitable on web services that
rely on WS-SecurityPolicy plain text UsernameTokens to authenticate users.
It was not exploitable when using hashed passwords or WS-Security without
WS-SecurityPolicy. (CVE-2013-0239)

If web services were deployed using Apache CXF with the WSS4JInInterceptor
enabled to apply WS-Security processing, HTTP GET requests to these
services were always granted access, without applying authentication
checks. The URIMappingInterceptor is a legacy mechanism for allowing
REST-like access (via GET requests) to simple SOAP services. A remote
attacker could use this flaw to access the REST-like interface of a simple
SOAP service using GET requests that bypass the security constraints
applied by WSS4JInInterceptor. This flaw was only exploitable if
WSS4JInInterceptor was used to apply WS-Security processing. Services that
use WS-SecurityPolicy to apply security were not affected. (CVE-2012-5633)

Warning: Before applying this update, back up all applications deployed on
JBoss Portal Platform, along with all customized configuration files, and
any databases and database settings.

All users of JBoss Portal Platform 6.0.0 as provided from the Red Hat
Customer Portal are advised to apply this update.

Solution

The References section of this erratum contains a download link (you must
log in to download the update). Before applying the update, back up all
applications deployed on JBoss Portal Platform, along with all customized
configuration files, and any databases and database settings.

Note that it is recommended to halt the JBoss Portal Platform server by
stopping the JBoss Application Server process before installing this
update, and then after installing the update, restart the JBoss Portal
Platform server by starting the JBoss Application Server process.

Affected Products

• Red Hat JBoss Middleware Text-Only Advisories for RHEL 6 x86_64

Fixes

• BZ - 889008 - CVE-2012-5633 jbossws-cxf, apache-cxf: Bypass of security constraints on WS endpoints when using WSS4JInInterceptor
• BZ - 905722 - CVE-2013-0239 jbossws-cxf, apache-cxf: UsernameTokenPolicyValidator and UsernameTokenInterceptor allow empty passwords to authenticate

CVEs

• CVE-2012-5633
• CVE-2013-0239

References

• https://access.redhat.com/security/updates/classification/#important
• http://cxf.apache.org/security-advisories.html
• https://access.redhat.com/jbossnetwork/restricted/listSoftware.html?downloadType=securityPatches&product=jbportal&version=6.0.0

This erratum does not contain any packages.